Characterization of abortion, stillbirth and non-viable foals homozygous for the Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome.
Abstract: Warmblood fragile foal syndrome (WFFS) is a monogenetic defect with autosomal recessive inheritance. The WFFS homozygosity is non-compatible with extra-uterine life. Although as many as 15% of Warmblood horses are WFFS carriers, there has been little veterinary focus on this condition. The aim of this study was to determine outcomes and symptoms of clinical signs and pathological abnormalities during pregnancies when there were WFFS homozygous foetuses. Diagnostic material of 15 abortion or stillbirth cases with suspected diagnosis of WFFS was available for this study. Additionally, there were examinations in 37 cases where there were no indications of WFFS when submitted for routine diagnostic procedures. Foals in all cases were genotyped and external morphological defects were recorded. Amongst the 15 cases in which WFSS was suspected, there were 14 homozygous foetuses with the WFFS allele (WFFS/WFFS). Three heterozygous WFFS foetuses (N/WFFS) were detected in the cases submitted for routine diagnostic procedures. Of the 14 WFFS homozygous foetuses, 11 of mares had a gestation length of at least 320 days. Nine foals were born alive but died within a short time. Skin defects were obvious in 12 WFFS homozygous foals, and there was abnormal flexibility in the digital joints, flexed forelegs and incomplete closure of the abdominal wall in five, four, and one of the foals, respectively. In conclusion, the predominant manifestation of WFFS are death during the latter stages of gestation or live births with foals being non-viable. Losses in Warmblood horse breeding caused by WFFS are greater than previously assumed.
Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2019-10-17 PubMed ID: 31785623DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106202Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research focuses on Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome (WFFS), a genetic disorder that affects horses, leading to stillbirths, abortion and non-viable foals. Furthermore, the study highlights the effects of WFFS on pregnant mares and the unprecedented magnitude of losses it may cause in Warmblood horse breeding.
Purpose of the Study
- The aim of the research was to assess the outcomes and the symptoms of the clinical signs and pathological abnormalities during pregnancies that resulted in WFFS homozygous fetuses. This would help to provide a clearer picture of the effects of WFFS in Warmblood horse breeding.
Research Methodology
- The study involved examination and diagnostic material of 15 abortion or stillbirth cases with suspected WFFS, presenting a direct examination of fetuses affected by the disorder.
- Apart from the suspected cases, the study also examined 37 cases that showed no indication of WFFS. These were used as a comparison to understand the differences in gestational outcomes between healthy and WFFS-affected pregnancies.
- All foals involved in the study were genetically typed. External defects and abnormalities were also recorded as part of the methodology.
Findings of the Study
- Out of the 15 suspected cases, 14 were found to be homozygous for the WFFS allele – meaning these horses carried two copies of the defective gene.
- Out of the 37 normal cases, three were found to be heterozygous – containing one copy of the defective gene and one normal gene.
- Common WFFS defects such as abnormal skin, flexibility in the digital joints, flexed forelegs, and partially closed abdominal wall were detected in these foals.
- Most of the mares carrying WFFS homozygous foals had a gestation length of at least 320 days.
Conclusion
- Often, WFFS results in death during the later stages of the gestation or live births with foals being non-viable.
- The study concludes, therefore, that the loss induced by WFFS in Warm blood horse breeding is higher than previously assumed, necessitating a greater focus on the medical condition.
Cite This Article
APA
Aurich C, Müller-Herbst S, Reineking W, Müller E, Wohlsein P, Gunreben B, Aurich J.
(2019).
Characterization of abortion, stillbirth and non-viable foals homozygous for the Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome.
Anim Reprod Sci, 211, 106202.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106202 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department of Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: christine.aurich@vetmeduni.ac.at.
- Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany.
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany.
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
- Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany.
- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Andrology, Department of Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Abortion, Veterinary / genetics
- Animals
- Genotype
- Homozygote
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Mutation
- Procollagen-Lysine, 2-Oxoglutarate 5-Dioxygenase / genetics
- Retrospective Studies
- Stillbirth / genetics
- Stillbirth / veterinary
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